The Shadow of Eldergloom
As twilight settled over Thornhollow, fear hung heavier than the storm clouds gathering above the mountains. For weeks, travelers vanished along roads leading into Eldergloom Forest, hunters failed to return, and livestock disappeared without a trace. At night, villagers swore they saw enormous shapes moving between trees, eyes glowing from the darkness. Standing before the bounty board, Lyssara Nocthiel listened in silence while Borin Ashmantle, the dwarf blacksmith, pointed toward a weathered notice nailed to the wood, growling that three hunters and two woodcutters were missing, and though the council offered all their silver, nobody dared enter the forest anymore. Lyssara studied the parchment calmly and asked when it began, to which Borin replied it was a month ago, right after strange lights appeared among the old ruins deep in the woods. The villagers exchanged nervous glances, and a young woman stepped forward with trembling hands, pleading for help if Lyssara truly was a Lunar Guardian. After a tense silence filled only by the evening wind, Lyssara rested her hand upon the hilt of Eclipsewarden and promised to investigate, bringing relief to the crowd. Beside her, Aster, the celestial fox, suddenly lifted his head, his glowing blue eyes narrowing toward the distant treeline as a low growl escaped his throat. Lyssara immediately noticed, whispering that he sensed it too. Far beyond the village, hidden among dark pines, a colossal silhouette moved between shadows, its glowing eyes watching the settlement before disappearing into the gathering darkness. The dwarf followed her gaze, muttering, "By the Forge...", as Lyssara's expression hardened, realizing this was no ordinary monster. Lightning briefly illuminated the storm clouds above Eldergloom Forest, and without another word, the High Elf turned toward the road. Tomorrow, she would enter the woods, and whatever waited within was already watching her approach.